Batuk Bhairava Aparadha Kshamapana Stotra
श्रीबटुकभैरवापराधक्षमापनस्तोत्रम्
Sanskrit
ॐ गुरोः सेवां त्यक्त्वा गुरुवचनशक्तोऽपि न भवे भवत्पूजाध्यानाज्जपहवनयागाद्विरहितः । त्वदर्च्चानिर्माणे क्वचिदपि न यत्नं व कृतवान्- जगज्जालग्रसतो झटिति कुरु हार्द्दं मयि विभो ॥१॥
Transliteration
oṃ guroḥ sevāṃ tyaktvā guruvacanaśakto'pi na bhave bhavatpūjādhyānājjapahavanayāgādvirahitaḥ | tvadarccānirmāṇe kvacidapi na yatnaṃ va kṛtavān- jagajjālagrasato jhaṭiti kuru hārddaṃ mayi vibho ||1||
Translation
O Lord, I have abandoned the service of the Guru, though capable I failed to follow the Guru's words. I remained bereft of your worship, meditation, japa, fire offering, and sacrifice. I never even made an effort to create your sacred image. Yet, O all-pervading one, as I am consumed by the web of worldly illusions, quickly bestow your heartfelt grace upon me!
Deep Meaning
The opening verse is a raw, honest confession of spiritual negligence, the devotee admits abandoning guru-seva, failing to practice, and never even attempting to establish worship. This radical honesty is the foundation of kshamapana (seeking forgiveness). The plea "quickly bestow grace" acknowledges that only divine grace, not personal effort, can rescue one trapped in samsara's web.
Sanskrit
प्रभो दुर्गासूनो तव शरणतां सोऽधिगतवान्- कृपालो दुःखार्तः कमपि भवदन्यं प्रकथये । सुहृत्सम्पत्तेऽहं सरलविरलः साधकजन- स्त्वदन्यः कस्त्राता भवदहनदाहं शमयति ॥२॥
Transliteration
prabho durgāsūno tava śaraṇatāṃ so'dhigatavān- kṛpālo duḥkhārtaḥ kamapi bhavadanyaṃ prakathaye | suhṛtsampatte'haṃ saralaviralaḥ sādhakajana- stvadanyaḥ kastrātā bhavadahanadāhaṃ śamayati ||2||
Translation
O Lord, son of Durga, I have taken your refuge alone. O compassionate one, afflicted by sorrow, whom else can I speak of but you? Among practitioners, I am rare in my simplicity and devoid of friends or wealth. Who other than you can save me? Who can quench the burning fire of worldly existence?
Deep Meaning
The devotee takes refuge (sharanatam) solely in Batuk Bhairava, calling him "Durga's son", connecting him to the Mother Goddess. The confession of being friendless, simple-hearted (sarala-virala), and helpless is not self-pity but spiritual humility, recognizing that only the divine can extinguish the fire of samsara.
Sanskrit
वदान्यो मान्यस्त्वं विविधजनपालो भवसि वै दयालुर्दीनार्तान् भवजलधिपारं गमयसि । अतस्त्वत्तो याचे नतिनियमतोऽकिञ्चनधनः सदा भूयाद्भावः पदनलिनयोस्ते तिमिरहा ॥३॥
Transliteration
vadānyo mānyastvaṃ vividhajanapālo bhavasi vai dayālurdīnārtān bhavajaladhipāraṃ gamayasi | atastvatto yāce natiniyamato'kiñcanadhanaḥ sadā bhūyādbhāvaḥ padanalinayoste timirahā ||3||
Translation
You are generous, honorable, protector of all kinds of people. You are compassionate and ferry the afflicted poor across the ocean of worldly existence. With prostration and discipline, I, whose only wealth is poverty, beg of you: may devotion to your lotus feet ever remain in me, destroying the darkness of ignorance!
Deep Meaning
Bhairava is praised as vadanya (generous) and janapala (people-protector) who ferries even the destitute across samsara's ocean. The devotee's only prayer is for bhava (devotion) toward Bhairava's lotus feet, not for wealth or power, but for the devotion itself that destroys ignorance (timira-ha = darkness-destroyer).
Sanskrit
अजापूर्वो विप्रो मिलपदपरो योऽतिपतितो महामूर्खो दुष्टो वृजननिरतः पामरनृपः । असत्पानासक्तो यवनयुवतीव्रातरमणः प्रभावात्त्वन्नाम्नः परमपदवीं सोऽप्यधिगतः ॥४॥
Transliteration
ajāpūrvo vipro milapadaparo yo'tipatito mahāmūrkho duṣṭo vṛjananirataḥ pāmaranṛpaḥ | asatpānāsakto yavanayuvatīvrātaramaṇaḥ prabhāvāttvannāmnaḥ paramapadavīṃ so'pyadhigataḥ ||4||
Translation
Even a Brahmin who is impure from birth, utterly fallen, a great fool, wicked, addicted to sin, a lowly king, given to drink and debauched company, even he, by the power of your name alone, attains the supreme state!
Deep Meaning
This revolutionary verse declares that no one is beyond redemption through Bhairava's name. Even the most fallen, described in graphic terms of moral degradation, can attain the highest spiritual state (parama-padavi) solely through the power (prabhava) of Bhairava's name. This is the ultimate message of divine grace transcending all human limitations.
Sanskrit
दयां दीर्घां दीने बटुक कुरु विश्वम्भर मयि न चान्यस्सन्त्राता परमशिव मां पालय विभो । महाश्चर्यं प्राप्तस्तव सरलदृष्ट्या विरहितः कृपापूर्णैर्नेत्रैः कजदलनिमैर्माखचयतात् ॥५॥
Transliteration
dayāṃ dīrghāṃ dīne baṭuka kuru viśvambhara mayi na cānyassantrātā paramaśiva māṃ pālaya vibho | mahāścaryaṃ prāptastava saraladṛṣṭyā virahitaḥ kṛpāpūrṇairnetraiḥ kajadalanimairmākhacayatāt ||5||
Translation
O Batuka, sustainer of the universe, bestow your extended compassion upon this wretched one! There is no other savior, O Supreme Shiva, O all-pervading Lord, protect me! It is a great wonder that I remain deprived of your simple, compassionate glance. Cast upon me your lotus-petal-like eyes filled with mercy!
Deep Meaning
The devotee calls Batuka "Vishvambhara" (sustainer of the universe) and "Paramashiva" (Supreme Shiva), equating the child-form of Bhairava with the absolute. The plea for just a simple glance (sarala-drishti) expresses the teaching that Bhairava's grace requires only his attention, not elaborate ritual.
Sanskrit
सहस्ये किं हंसो नहि तपति दीनं जनचयं- घनान्ते किं चन्द्रोऽसमकरनिपातो भुवितले । कृपादृष्टेस्तेहं भयहर विभो किं विरहितो जले वा हर्म्ये वा घनरसमुयातो न विषमः ॥६॥
Transliteration
sahasye kiṃ haṃso nahi tapati dīnaṃ janacayaṃ- ghanānte kiṃ candro'samakaranipāto bhuvitale | kṛpādṛṣṭestehaṃ bhayahara vibho kiṃ virahito jale vā harmye vā ghanarasamuyāto na viṣamaḥ ||6||
Translation
Does the swan suffer in winter? Does the moon scorch the wretched masses? Does rain fall unevenly on palace and pond? O fear-destroyer, O all-pervading Lord, why then am I deprived of your compassionate glance? Whether on water or in a mansion, the heavy rainfall falls equally upon all!
Deep Meaning
A brilliant philosophical argument through nature metaphors: just as the swan doesn't suffer cold, the moon doesn't burn, and rain falls equally everywhere, Bhairava's grace should naturally reach all beings without discrimination. The devotee gently protests: if your nature is universal compassion, why am I excluded?
Sanskrit
त्रिमूर्तिस्त्वं गीतो हरिहरविधातात्मकगुणो निराकारः शुद्धः परतरपरः सोऽप्यविषयः । दयारूपं शान्तं मुनिगणनुतं भक्तदयितं कदा पश्यामि त्वां कुटिलकचशोभित्रिनयनम् ॥७॥
Transliteration
trimūrtistvaṃ gīto hariharavidhātātmakaguṇo nirākāraḥ śuddhaḥ parataraparaḥ so'pyaviṣayaḥ | dayārūpaṃ śāntaṃ munigaṇanutaṃ bhaktadayitaṃ kadā paśyāmi tvāṃ kuṭilakacaśobhitrinayanam ||7||
Translation
You are celebrated as the Trinity, possessing the qualities of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. You are formless, pure, the highest of the high, beyond all objects of perception. Yet you are the embodiment of compassion, peaceful, praised by sages, beloved of devotees. When shall I see you, with your beautiful curly locks and three shining eyes?
Deep Meaning
This verse beautifully bridges the formless (nirakara) and formed aspects of Bhairava. He is simultaneously the abstract trimurtic principle AND the beautiful deity with curly hair and three eyes. The aching question "when shall I see you?" (kada pashyami) expresses the devotee's longing for direct vision (darshan) of the divine.
Sanskrit
तपोयोगं सांख्यं यमनियमचेतः प्रयजनं न कौलार्च्चाचक्रं हरिहरविधीनां प्रियतमम् । न जाने ते भक्तिं परममुनिमार्गं मधुविधिं तथाप्येषा वाणी परिरटति नित्यं तव यशः ॥८॥
Transliteration
tapoyogaṃ sāṃkhyaṃ yamaniyamacetaḥ prayajanaṃ na kaulārccācakraṃ hariharavidhīnāṃ priyatamam | na jāne te bhaktiṃ paramamunimārgaṃ madhuvidhiṃ tathāpyeṣā vāṇī pariraṭati nityaṃ tava yaśaḥ ||8||
Translation
I know not austerity, yoga, or Sankhya philosophy. Nor the disciplines of yama and niyama for purifying the mind. Nor the Kaula chakra worship. Nor the rituals beloved of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma. Nor the supreme path of sages. Nor the honey-sweet devotion to you. Yet even so, this voice of mine ceaselessly proclaims your glory!
Deep Meaning
A profound confession of spiritual ignorance, the devotee knows neither the yogic path (tapas, yoga, sankhya), nor the tantric path (kaula-archana-chakra), nor the vedic path (hari-hara-vidhi), nor even proper devotion. Yet the voice spontaneously, irresistibly sings Bhairava's praises! This is the essence of causeless grace, devotion that arises despite the devotee's unworthiness.
Sanskrit
न मे कांक्षा धर्मे न वसुनिचये राज्यनिवहे न मे स्त्रीणां भोगे सखिसुतकुटुम्बेषु न च मे । यदा यद्यद्भाव्यं भवतु भगवन् पूर्वसुकृतान् ममैतत्तु प्रार्थ्यं तव विमलभक्तिः प्रभवतात् ॥९॥
Transliteration
na me kāṃkṣā dharme na vasunicaye rājyanivahe na me strīṇāṃ bhoge sakhisutakuṭumbeṣu na ca me | yadā yadyadbhāvyaṃ bhavatu bhagavan pūrvasukṛtān mamaitattu prārthyaṃ tava vimalabhaktiḥ prabhavatāt ||9||
Translation
I have no desire for dharmic merit, nor for accumulation of wealth, nor for kingdoms. I have no craving for enjoyment with women, nor for friends, sons, or family. Whatever is destined to happen, let it happen according to past karma, O Lord. My only prayer is this, may pure devotion to you flourish in me!
Deep Meaning
This is the stotra's spiritual climax, total renunciation of all desires except one: pure devotion (vimala-bhakti). Not dharma, not artha, not kama, only bhakti. "Whatever karma brings, let it come", complete surrender to destiny while holding onto devotion alone. This mirrors the guru's teaching: "Stop controlling outcomes. The faster you surrender, the faster Bhairava works."
Sanskrit
कियाँस्तेस्मद्भारः पतितपतितांस्तारयसि भो ! मदन्यः कः पापी यजनविमुखः पाठरहितः । दृढो मे विश्वासस्तव नियतिरुद्धारविषया सदा स्याद् विश्रम्भः क्वचिदपि मृषा मा च भवतात् ॥१०॥
Transliteration
kiyāṃstesmadbhāraḥ patitapatitāṃstārayasi bho ! madanyaḥ kaḥ pāpī yajanavimukhaḥ pāṭharahitaḥ | dṛḍho me viśvāsastava niyatiruddhāraviṣayā sadā syād viśrambhaḥ kvacidapi mṛṣā mā ca bhavatāt ||10||
Translation
How heavy a burden am I to you? You deliver the most fallen of the fallen! Who is a greater sinner than me, averse to worship, devoid of scriptural study? Yet my faith in your vow to uplift is firm. May my trust never waver, may it never prove false!
Deep Meaning
A touchingly direct challenge to Bhairava: "I'm just one more fallen soul, how heavy can I be for you who lifts the most wretched?" The devotee claims the title of "worst sinner" with paradoxical pride, knowing that Bhairava's specialty is precisely saving the most fallen. The final prayer is not for liberation but for firm faith (dridha-vishvasa), that the trust itself never wavers.
Sanskrit
भवद्भावाद्भिन्नो व्यसननिरतः को मदपरो मदान्धः पापात्मा बटुक ! शिव ! ते नामरहितः । उदारात्मन्बन्धो नहि तवकतुल्यः कलुषहा पुनस्सञ्चिन्त्यैवं कुरु हृदि यथाचेच्छसि तथा ॥११॥
Transliteration
bhavadbhāvādbhinno vyasananirataḥ ko madaparo madāndhaḥ pāpātmā baṭuka ! śiva ! te nāmarahitaḥ | udārātmanbandho nahi tavakatulyaḥ kaluṣahā punassañcintyaivaṃ kuru hṛdi yathācecchasi tathā ||11||
Translation
Separated from devotion to you, addicted to vices, arrogant, blinded by pride, a sinful soul deprived of your name, such am I, O Batuk! O Shiva! O generous-souled friend! There is no destroyer of impurities equal to you. Contemplating this in your heart, do with me as you wish!
Deep Meaning
The penultimate verse reaches the depths of self-abasement and the heights of surrender simultaneously. The devotee calls Bhairava "Bandho" (friend), the most intimate address, suggesting that despite all failings, the relationship is that of friendship, not fear. The final surrender, "do as you wish" (yatha-cecchasi tatha), is the essence of total submission to divine will.
Sanskrit
जपान्ते स्नानान्ते ह्युषसि च निशीथे पठति यो महासौख्यं देवो वितरति नु तस्मै प्रमुदितः । अहोरात्रं पार्श्वे परिवसति भक्तानुगमनो वयोन्ते संहृष्टः परिनयति भक्तान् स्वभुवनम् ॥१२॥
Transliteration
japānte snānānte hyuṣasi ca niśīthe paṭhati yo mahāsaukhyaṃ devo vitarati nu tasmai pramuditaḥ | ahorātraṃ pārśve parivasati bhaktānugamano vayonte saṃhṛṣṭaḥ parinayati bhaktān svabhuvanam ||12||
Translation
Whoever recites this after japa, after bathing, at dawn, or at midnight, to them the Lord joyfully bestows supreme happiness. Day and night He dwells beside His devotee, following them faithfully. And at the end of life, with great delight, He personally escorts His devotees to His own divine abode.
Deep Meaning
The phala-shruti (fruit verse) promises that Bhairava himself becomes the devotee's constant companion (ahoratram parshve parivasati), walking beside them day and night. The most beautiful promise: at the moment of death (vayo'nte), Bhairava personally, joyfully (samhrishtah) escorts the devotee to his own realm. The guru teaches: "This stotra is non-negotiable, recite it at the end of every single sadhana session."
Benefits of Recitation
- ✦Purifies all spiritual offenses and mistakes in practice
- ✦Bhairava dwells beside the devotee day and night
- ✦Grants supreme happiness (maha-saukhya) to the reciter
- ✦Personal escort by Bhairava at the time of death
- ✦Awakens pure, unconditional devotion (vimala-bhakti)
- ✦Redeems even the most fallen and sinful practitioner
- ✦Essential conclusion to every sadhana session
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